Sussex charity bosses have raised the alarm after a kitten narrowly escaped almost certain death when a Nerf gun-style dart became lodged in his intestines.
If not for the urgent care of the Cats Protection vet team at the United Kingdom Cat Centre, the seven-month-old kitten from East Grinstead could have died.
Milo was signed over to the Chelwood Gate charity when his owners became overwhelmed living with an energetic and playful kitten in a flat and with a young child and another on the way.
Their difficult decision to relinquish Milo probably saved his young life.
Soon after coming into care Milo vomited up a number of sizeable pieces of sponge from a popular child’s toy.
Vets examined the poor mite and realised that something was still lodged in his intestines, needing immediate surgery to remove whatever was causing the precarious blockage.
Centre manager Danielle Draper said:
“The kitten was only small but the obstruction was so obvious that the vets didn’t even need to do X-rays.
"Urgency was paramount if we were to save Milo, so he was prepared for an operation as soon as practical.”
The operation was successful and, when the regurgitated bits were put together with the plastic removed from his stomach, the team was shocked to realise that the cat had swallowed an entire plastic bullet, like those used in a Nerf gun.
The chewed up projectile had broken down and spread throughout the kitten’s stomach and intestines.
Danielle added:
“We removed the plastic top of the bullet that had become stuck in his intestines.
"Thankfully, the rest of the toy had already come up in his vomit. If it had been left he would have most certainly died.”
Danielle hopes Milo’s story is a warning to parents to take care over small toys left lying around where their curious pets might find them.
“This kitten was lucky, others might not be.
We were able to move quickly when we realised Milo had swallowed something potentially so dangerous, which probably saved his life.
“Children’s toys can be small, plastic and attractive to inquisitive minds.
"Many have loose parts, which can be dangerous to cats and especially to kittens who see everything as a plaything.
"Milo’s story should be a cautionary warning to keep toys out of the way of pets, especially plastic darts such as the one Milo chewed and ingested.”
Safety tips for pet owners can be found online.
Milo has recovered fully from his ordeal and is ready for his new home.
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